A two-time United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) in Guinea and the Gambia, respectively, was yesterday announced as the new Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone.

Burundian-born Ms Serpahine Wakana is believed to be the first to serve in this capacity in Sierra Leone as she replaces Dr Babatunde Ahonsi, who held the post for three years having succeeded Mr Sunil Saigal.

The Statement announcing Ms Wakana as the United Nations Secretary-General’s appointee to the position indicated that it was done with the host Government’s approval and that she has more than 28 years of experience in coordination, political engagement, economics and development planning.

In the Gambia, “Under her leadership and guidance, the UN Country Team in the Gambia has provided technical support and strategic guidance through the different UN agencies operational in the country.”

She was also quoted to have led UN efforts in supporting the national development priorities of The Gambia to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

The new RC is an economist with a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Administration from the University of Burundi, Bujumbura.

She also worked as a Senior Economist in the Regional Office of the African Development Bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2010 to 2014. She acted as the Bank’s Resident Representative from 2011 to 2012.

Furthermore, the Statement from the Secretary-General also indicated that she worked as an International Consultant with UNDP, the African Development Bank and the World Bank. During the same period, she was the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea in Burundi.

A note verbale earlier released indicated that Ms Wakana is expected in Freetown to resume her work this week.